POLLUTION LOCATOR| Water | State Clean Water Act Status Report
Clean Water Act Status: MARYLAND
 
 
  • Clean Water Act Comparative Ranking
    Cleanest/Best States National Average Dirtiest/Worst States
    0%         50%         100%

    Percentage of Surface Waters with Impaired or Threatened Uses (state + EPA data):
    Number of Impaired Waterbodies (as reported by the state):

    NOTE: Data limitations affect the accuracy of these rankings.

    Rank counties in MARYLAND or in the U.S. by assessed use impairments.
    Rank watersheds in MARYLAND by assessed use impairments
    Rank states by assessed use impairments, impairments due to specific causes, or impairments due to specific sources

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  • 1998 Clean Water Act Status
    MARYLAND contains a portion of 19 watersheds.
    Percentage of Surface Waters with Reported Problems (state + EPA data): 26%
    Number of Waterbodies with Reported Problems (as reported by the state): 196
    Beneficial uses not reported for 100% of waterbodies.

    Priority for Regulation     Number of Waterbodies
    Targeted 8
    High 64
    Medium 8
    Low 109
    Not Assessed for TMDL Priority 7
    Not Reported to US EPA for TMDL Priority 0
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  • Leading Pollutants/Stressors of Surface Waters
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 112
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 39%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nutrients 93%
    Sediments 73%
    Pathogens 21%
    Metals 12%
    pH 7%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 29
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 27%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nutrients 76%
    Sediments 34%
    Metals 10%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 54
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 98%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 100%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Pathogens 52%
    Nutrients 33%
    Metals 24%
    Sediments 20%
    Low Dissolved Oxygen/Organic Enrichment 9%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


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  • Leading Sources of Water Quality Problems
    Rivers, Streams, and Creeks
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 112 (cause not reported for 0%)
    Percent of Rivers, Streams and Creeks in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 39%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Natural Sources 97%
    Nonpoint Sources 97%
    Municipal Point Sources 36%
    Resource Extraction 2%
    Impairment source not reported 1%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Lakes, Reservoirs, and Ponds
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 29
    Percent of Lakes, Reservoirs and Ponds in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 27%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 100%
    Natural Sources 24%
    Municipal Point Sources 7%

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


    Estuaries, Bays, and Coasts
    Number of impaired waterbodies: 54
    Percent of Estuaries and Bays in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 98%
    Percent of Coastal Shorelines in MARYLAND assessed by agencies for 1997-98 reporting period: 100%
      Percent Waterbodies Affected
    Nonpoint Sources 81%
    Natural Sources 33%
    Municipal Point Sources 26%
    Other Sources 15%
    Unknown Sources 15%
    More...

    NOTE: Possible inconsistencies between data on (a) impaired waterbodies and (b) percentage of waterbodies assessed.


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